Living Under Pressure

Local artist, Nicola Sassanelli kindly donated his painting, 'Living Under Pressure' to the Medical Device Research Institute, dedicated to Professor Karen Reynolds, in light of Karen's most recent achievement, being named South Australian Scientist of the Year 2012. The painting was 'unveiled' at an intimate gathering on Tuesday 30th October 2012.

Karen has also been recognised in the arts domain, with her portrait being featured in the Portrait Artists Australia, Celebrating Innovators exhibition, in Canberra. The portrait, by local artist Avril Thomas, will be on show at Parliament House, Canberra, from November 2 to December 13, 2012. Read more about the portrait...

Hexapod Robot wins Engineering Excellence Award

Congratulations to the Hexapod Robot team on winning the 2012 Engineering Excellence South Australian Award for Innovation/Research and Development and also the Malcolm Kinnaird Engineering Excellence Award. The robot, based at the Medical Device Research Institute at Flinders, was developed to enhance understanding of 3D performance of normal and diseased joints and their artificial replacements by simulating complex joint motion.

This is an outstanding achievement and fantastic recognition for the team. The Hexapod Robot is now eligible for the 2012 National Engineering Excellence Award, which will be announced in Canberra in November. See more on Hexapod Robot wins engineers' high praise.

SA Scientist of the Year

Congratulations to MDRI Director, Professor Karen Reynolds, who was awarded South Australian Scientist of the Year 2012 - read full article.

Four MDRI members named finalists in SA Science Excellence Awards!

Congratulations to the following members who have been recognised as finalists in their fields for the 2012 SA Science Excellence Awards. The winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner on Friday 17 August.

June 2012

Engineer in top 100 for influence

18 April 2012

MDRI launch and member event

The Medical Device Research Institute (MDRI) was formally launched by Flinders University Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Barber, at a small member event held Wednesday 18th April. The launch also included guest presenter, Dr. John Arkwright, 2011 Eureka Prize winner from CSIRO.

New Strategic Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Professor Mark Taylor said it is fantastic to join this well recognised and growing Institute. "As a member of the Institute I am able to benefit from cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional networking and collaboration opportunities". Operating in close vicinity to FMC and the Repatriation General Hospital, there are also opportunities to gain greater access to clinicians and end-users. "At the end of the day it means my research will benefit from the expertise of others in related areas, links to researchers in other institutions, and access to clinicians and end-users for clinical trials etc".

The Nationally recognised and award-winning Medical Device Partnering Program is an example of one program that falls within the MDRI. This unique program facilitates the development of medical devices and associated technologies by bringing together relevant researchers, clinicians, end-users and companies.

For more information about the capabilities and equipment available within the Institute, please contact Carmela Sergi at mdri@flinders.edu.au

March 2012

New Strategic Professor in Biomedical Engineering

The Medical Device Research Institute is pleased to welcome Professor Mark Taylor to Flinders University. Professor Taylor has been recently appointed as a Strategic Professor in Biomedical Engineering within the School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics.

Professor Taylor has over 20 years experience in the field of orthopaedic biomechanics and has spent time in both academia and industry. After completing his PhD in orthopaedic biomechanics, he spent a short period working for Finsbury Orthopaedics. In 1998, he took up an academic appointment with the School of Engineering Sciences, at the University of Southampton, UK. Whilst at Southampton, he was responsible for the formation and growth of the Bioengineering Sciences Research Group.

Professor Taylor's main area of expertise is using computational modelling to assess the performance of total joint replacements. The majority of his work has focussed on developing tools to help assess the performance of existing and new designs of hip and new replacements. In particular, he has focussed on developing methods for assessing the influence of patient and surgical variability.

More recently, he has begun to explore using these tools for surgeon training and potentially for decision support to help plan joint replacement operations. In addition, he is interested in exploring how pain and function is affected by joint replacement, as many patients complain that these do not necessarily improve following surgery.

Hexapod Robot features on children's program, SCOPE

Flinders University's Hexapod Robot featured on national children's science show, SCOPE. Produced by Network Ten, with the co-operation of the CSIRO, the episode dedicated to modelling explores the fun side of science and technology and is aimed at children aged between 8-14 years.

MDRI's own, Dr John Costi (Senior Lecturer, Biomechanics Research in School of CSEM) explains how the hexapod is used for biomechanical testing.